What would be the best way......?

Question

What would be the best way around Chicago? I live in Michigan and going to Elgin Illinois in a few days. Have made this trip before but do not want to take the I-80 Skyway. Can anyone tell me a way around this busy part? Even if its a longer ways around

Please answer if you have a real answer and not a "I don't know."

Answer 1

You can follow I-294 (marked Milwaukee) to 290 West (marked Rockford) to 90 West and exit at 25 or 31 at Elgin.

Answer 2

The least traffic would be to take I-80 west (signed "Iowa") all the way to Joliet. Take I-55 north (signed "Chicago") past Joliet to I-355 (the North-South Tollway). Take I-355 north (signed "West Suburbs") to I-290 (basically the same road) and continue to the intersection with I-90 at Schaumburg. Then follow I-90 (the Northwest Tollway, signed "Rockford") west to Elgin. You're going out of your way, but except at rush hour traffic should be fairly tame. There is often a bottleneck on the toll part of I-80 just west of the Indiana border, but otherwise things should go pretty smoothly.

If you want to see anything in Chicago, I'd suggest you take Metra (commuter railroad) from Elgin into the city. If you totally want to avoid city driving, you can even take the train (South Shore line) from Michigan City or South Bend, Indiana, switch stations (you can take the 'L' from one station to the other) and take Metra's north central service out to Elgin.

Answer 3

Why are you going from Michigan to Elgin, I love Elgin! Lived there forever, miss it horrible.
You can mapquest it and then chose your own route, it will give you a better look at what all roads would take you in the right direction.

Answer 4

If you have AAA they can give you an alternate route. If you don't have AAA, maybe you have a friend that does. Good luck.